Jobs and work

Is having a job right for you?

There’s no right or wrong time to start looking for a job. If you’re not sure, it can help to think about:

what you hope to get from working
whether you’re legally old enough to work
other commitments you already have, like school or exams
what you might need to change to help you start a job.

A job can be a great way to build up skills and experience, earn your own money and boost your confidence. But it also means being responsible and giving up your free time.

You don’t need to decide by yourself. If you’re not sure you can ask an adult you trust or speak to us.

6 reasons to get a job:

earn your own money
feel more independent
learn new skills
meet new people
build your confidence
get experience for the future.

Tips for finding a job

Finding a job can take time, but there are things you can do to increase your chances:

Write your CV

Your CV shows off your skills, experience and education. It’s often the first thing an employer will see, and it’s important to make a good first impression.

Some things to remember about your CV:

Make it easy to read
It should only be 1-2 pages long, keep the formatting clear and simple.
Include your contact details
Make sure your full name, email address and phone number are easy to find.
Write about your skills
Include any skills and experience you’ve got, this could be from other jobs, school, volunteering or clubs. It can help to include any software you know how to use as well.
Keep things brief
Don’t go into lots of detail, just include a summary of what you’ve done.
Give your qualifications
If you’ve got predicted grades, you could include those as well. Remember to give the dates you achieved anything.

Even if you’re filling out an application form instead of sharing a CV, having one that’s up to date can give you an easy reference of all your skills.

For more tips, check out BBC’s advice on creating a CV and covering letter.

Find places to apply for

Job hunting can take time, but it’s important to keep trying.

Check websites of places or stores you might like to apply to, and ask an adult you trust whether they know anyone who’s looking to hire someone. Even if you’re struggling at first, it can help to remember that some places will hire more staff in the months before Christmas.

It’s important to think about what you can do, whether the hours would suit other responsibilities and what you’d need to be able to go to and from work. Depending on your age, you might want to try looking for jobs doing:

shop work
garden work
odd jobs (washing cars, doing household chores for money)
babysitting (the NSPCC recommends you should be over 16)
dog walking.

Prepare for an interview

An interview is a chance for your potential employer to meet you and make a decide whether to offer you a job. This could be in person, or over video chat.

It’s natural to be worried or anxious about an interview, but there are lots of things you can do to prepare:

Dress smartly
Even if it’s over the phone, dressing smartly can help you to feel more confident. If you’re having a video interview, try to make sur there’s nothing distracting in the background.
Make sure you know when and where it is
If it’s in person, plan how you’ll get there and make sure you leave in plenty of time. For online and phone interviews, make sure you’re somewhere quiet that you won’t be disturbed.
Practice
Have a friend or adult you trust ask questions that might come up so you can practice your answers.
Take your time
Don’t rush to answer anything, take your time and say if you’re just taking a moment to think.

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Share your experiences on our message boards

Work and your rights

Everyone has rights, and your rights at work help to make sure you’re kept safe and treated fairly.

Work and age

Your age has a big impact whether you’re allowed to work, and the kind of work you can do.

Most of the time, you can only get a part-time job after you’ve turned 13. Sometimes people younger than 13 years old are allowed to work in special circumstances, like in TV or theatre.

If you’re under 18, there are also some limits on the kinds of jobs you’re allowed to do and how long you can work for. You can find out more on the gov.uk website.

When you're 16 you can start an apprenticeship or traineeship, but if you are between 14-16 years old, you may be able to join a young apprenticeship programme.

When you turn 18, you can work full time.

Minimum wage

The minimum wage is the lowest amount you’re legally allowed to be paid per hour, but employers can choose to pay you more than this.

Your minimum wage depends on how old you are and what kind of job you’re in. And the government usually updates them yearly. As of April 2023, the rates are:

Under 16s
There is no minimum wage
16-17 year olds
£5.28 per hour
18-20 year olds
£7.49 per hour
Apprentices
£5.28 per hour

Get more details of the minimum wage on the gov.uk website.

Disability and work

If you have a disability, you have rights to make sure you’re not discriminated against and that you’re treated fairly.

It’s illegal for someone to discriminate against you because you have a disability, or because they think you have one.

Employers have a responsibility to make “reasonable adjustments” to help you, including things like adjusting breaks or making sure you can use the equipment you need to. Every job and person is different, but you can ask your employer or an adult you trust for support.

You can find out more about reasonable adjustments on the government website. You can also get support with getting into work with Access to Work.

Getting support

Finding a job can be tough sometimes, and it can be hard to know what you might want to do in the future. Talking to other people can really help.

There are lots of ways to get support with job hunting:

Try networking

The more people you can talk to, the more you can find out about jobs – this is known as networking. Your school may have a careers service, or you could try talking to an adult you trust.

Share your tips and questions with others

A lot of young people are looking to get their first job. Or their next job. You can find plenty of support and share experiences on the your future message boards.

Talk to us

Speak to one of our counsellors to chat about your ideas and plans.

Get support from other organisations

National Careers Service can give you more information about jobs if you're between 13 and 19
Career Pilot gives you advice about your options if you’re aged 11-19.
Gov.uk has lots of advice on starting an apprenticeship.

Your rights

Find out when it's legal for you to do certain things.

Volunteering and work experience

Volunteering and work experience don’t usually pay, but they can help you to build your confidence and gain skills for the future. And having experience on your CV can help you to get a job in the future.

There are lots of ways to get involved:

Speak to your school or college
Your school might organise work experience for you, and they can give you advice on ways to get involved
Find opportunities near you
Look at local charities or use vInspired to find volunteering opportunities
Raise money for charity
Raising money can help to build your confidence and keep you motivated

Building confidence and self-esteem

Try boosting your confidence with our top tips.